The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Bloodforge wasn’t just a mere gary-she was a true warrior.

She walked the line between light and darkness, charging into battlefields across the globe to carry out the world’s most high-stakes operations.

She could become any nation’s weapon, thrown into wars that shook the world.

Or she could be a villain’s blade, unleashed against the innocent.

She obeyed her employers, her allegiance belonging to whoever paid her price.

But in this world, there wasn’t a single military unit that didn’t acknowledge her strength.

Her very existence was the embodiment of power.

That’s why so many fighters would choose code names reminiscent of Bloodforge, hoping to draw on the reputation of strength and wealth she represented.

The higher-ups chose to give Nova a code name modeled after Bloodforge’s, hoping the legendary mercenary’s name would inspire her future with boundless hope and promise.

Upon hearing that, Nova stayed silent.

“Good!”

Clap, clap, clap!

Meanwhile, Oliver, standing nearby, was the first to clap excitedly. “This code name is awesome! Nova, don’t change it! Seriously, I’m loving it!”

Nova gave a slight nod.

After all, a short and simple code name was just her style.

I’ve got more code names than I could ever remember, Nova thought with a wry

smile.

Seeing that Nova didn’t object, the selection officer knew she’d accepted the new code name.

The selection officer nodded approvingly, then shifted his gaze to Violet.

“Violet, you really killed it out there. Seriously impressive

“That’s why the higher-ups are giving you the code name ‘Mauve. It’s got a meaning all its own.”

The selection officer didn’t bother explaining why the higher-ups’d chosen that name.

Violet clenched her fists in frustration, but on the surface, she accepted it with a forced calm.

“Thanks. I really like it,” Violet said, putting on a polite front.

‘Why? Why?!’ Violet fumed inwardly.

Nova only defused that AK-18 because she happened to know the guy who designed the timer, she thought. ‘It was pure luck

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“Come on, Andrew is such a solid code named Why’d I have to go with Edge? Sounds way too cheesy Andrew complained.

Nova, Andrew, and the others climbed out of the tramport plane together, following the selection officer toward their

They were planning to crash at a hotel for the night, then kick off their mision bright and early the next morning.

Andrew’s challer could be heard from a mile away as they walked,

Even i came, who was usually super quiet, couldn’t help chiming in

“The code name Andrew’s decent, but isn’t it just your real name?” she teased.

“So what’s the point of having a code name if you’re just using your own?”

Andrew scratched his head, looking sheepish. “You’ve got a point…” he said.

Strolling alone through the fields late at night, Nova could easily make out lush stretches of poppies growing right along the

roadside

Thapar fly do, gingerely fought her

there mury. Tegra hat basically hers her second home.

Sang hard it been wore the’d come back here

for grare Hard to say I’ve honestly lost count. Nears moned

e warned, walking heade them.

Everyone

dressed in plan clothes, looking for all the world like tourists on vacation.

The w

piece

standard mission cover-something every team member needed to nail down if they wanted to make it out in one

But to reach the busy main drag and snag a hotel for the night, they’d have to thread their way through an alley patrolled by a stationed prad

As they got closer to the unit, the selection officer’s voice dropped to a whisper.

These squads are packed with mercenaries-almost no actual soldiers here. In a place like this, cut off from any authority they’re nothing but a gang of hardcore desperados.

“If we want this mission to go smoothly, we have to keep a low profile and slip past them without attracting any attention.

“Good thing it’s the middle of the night. They should all be fast asleep, so we can slip past without getting spotted.”

As soon as the selection officer finished speaking everyone/instantly stopped breathing for a second.

Technically, none of them were part of the real task force yet, but they were already being thrown into their very first mission-just like the seasoned members.

Being newbies was one thing

But more than anything, it was the tension in the air that really got to them.

That’s why the selection officer had to stick close, quietly guiding them through every step of the mission.

But there was one person who just refused to play along

While the selection officer was still whispering. Nova just walked ahead like she owned the place-totally ignoring the whole

move quietly thing

Nova!” Violet hissed, keeping her voice low but sharp.

She glared at Nova, fuming inside, ‘Does she even care that we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile here?

“Oh great, here we go again-the Queen of Reckless just can’t help herself?” Violet hissed.

“Can you stop always playing the tough guy for once?

2:53 pm P pp.

Chapter 99

# you’re sureagento get yourself killed, be my guest! But don’t drag the rest of us into your mess. We’re supposed to sneak by quietly while they’re all asleep what part of that do you not get?”

At that, everyone turned to Nega, their eyes full of reproach.

Nova stuck one hand in her pocket, arched an eyebrow, and half-turned to the group.

“This place is packed with squads at every turn. You really came out here for a job and didn’t bother to check the facts first?

“Whenever mercenaries are stationed nearby, forget about sneaking past-using this route means they already have eyes on

you.

“If you want to keep things peaceful, talking it out or paying their toll’s your best bet. Otherwise, get ready to throw down.

“Besides…

“Late at night, when the world goes quiet? That’s exactly when mercenaries come alive-after a long day of combat, nighttime is when their second wind kicks in.

“Trust me, most of them aren’t even close to asleep at this hour.”

Nova’s words were like a blaring alarm, putting everyone instantly on edge.

Even the selection officer, who’d pored over every report on mercenary behavior, froze for a moment, visibly thrown off.

Really, the only info they had came from rumors or the hard-won scraps shared by soldiers who’d actually faced mercenaries in the field.

And then there were the undercover operatives who’d snuck into mercenary camps, but even their intel was hard to come by.

Most of what they knew was just secondhand info and rumors.

But for real, how did Nova-a student-know so much about mercenaries?

Seriously, it was almost as if she’d spent years living in a mercenary camp herself!